January 20, 2014, 19:28 UTC+3MOSCOWThe dialogue should result in creating an independent, viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders that coexist with Israel and other neighbors in peace and security - Russia's Foreign Ministry

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Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov

MOSCOW, January 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia supports the Palestinian leadership’s drive for holding a dialogue with Israel on the state’s final status in compliance with the norms of international law, the Russia's Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.

The ministry commented on the results of the regular session of the Russian-Palestinian Working Committee on the Middle East. Russia is represented by presidential special envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Palestine by a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, Nabil Shaath.

“The dialogue should result in creating an independent, viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders that coexist with Israel and other neighbors in peace and security,” the ministry said.

During the session, the parties “exchanged views on the pace of the Palestinian-Israeli talks that had resumed in the summer 2013. They noted the importance to create a favorable atmosphere at the talks and take steps towards each other and give up any unilateral actions, which predetermined the outcome of the dialogue,” the ministry said.

“Nabil Shaath informed Russian partners about inter-Palestinian reconciliation within the context of contacts with Palestinian factions. Russia said it was important to make the process for restoring Palestine’s unity irreversible. It will be very difficult to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict without it,” the ministry said.

Bogdanov and Shaath discussed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa. “They agreed that there was no alternative to peaceful settlement of conflicts by respecting the states’ territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence,” the ministry said, adding “The Geneva II Peace Conference due to be convened in Montreux, Switzerland, on January 22 is aimed at being a turning point that will allow the Syrian parties to improve a dialogue in order to reach compromises on all issues.”

“The parties confirmed the commitment to developing multifaceted cooperation for the sake of peace and security in the Middle East,” the ministry said.